Anthony Bennett should be the number one pick of this draft.
Played for highly competitive high school team, he's faced talent his whole life.
As a Freshman at UNLV, "Per 40 minutes" numbers: 23.8 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.8 BPG, 1.0 SPG (53 FG%, 70 FT%, 38% 3PT)
I know I'm much higher than him than everyone else. Potential double double guy. He can play the 3 and the 4, he's a good shooter and plays solid defense. Good wingspan, athletic and great rebounder for his height (6'7.) He clearly needs to work on his passing.
I see him as a possible Larry Johnson or even a more athletic, shorter Zach Randolph.
-Also, just curious why everyone thinks Steven Adams is so high on draft boards? I would pick Noel, Len, Zeller, Olynyk, Plumlee, Dieng, Withey, Muscala way before him. I know I'm no NBA scout but he doesn't remotely pass the statistical or eye tests for me..?
Pumped for the draft!
well since the NBA doesn't allow for zone defense (I wish it did... for lots of reasons... but that's another story) couldnt Bennett just play offense at the 3 and then on defense guard the opposing 4? That way.. if the opposing 4 tries to guard him when he is on offense... then Bennets teammate who is playing the 4 will also have a mis-match.?
I'm a big fan of Bennett but the pressure of being #1 overall is too much i'd rather he be picked to a lower number .... He can develop at his own pace and without the pressure of a rabid fan base who want to see results now ... + the Cavs don't need a undersized PF when they already have one in Tristan Thompson ... if he goes #1 i think if he doesn't produce within 2 - 3 years he's gonna be called a "bust"
Steven Adams is 7 feet, 255 lbs with a 7"4 wingspan (similar size to Alex Len), he's got a whole lot of potential. He didn't put up huge numbers at Pitt because
1) he was a freshmen
2) he recently moved here from New Zealand, getting used to basketball in America
However, he did average 2 blocks in 23 mpg. There's no question he's the better pick than Withey, Muscala, and Plumlee.
I think the only issue with Bennett other than conditioning will be his willingness to play the 4. I know he thinks he is super skilled and offensively he is pretty good but he won't be able to defend opposing 3's. With the majority of teams in the NBA going small there is no way he can be out there guarding shooters who can also put it on the deck. Do you see Bennett putting up any resistance against say Paul George? I know I don't see that as a good matchup.
He will have a really good career if he decides that he is going to be a power forward and use that big body of his. He is a little short but has long arms and if he has the desire there is no way he shouldn't be able to hold his own as an NBA power forward. Look at Kenneth Faried and Reggie Evans those guys dominate the boards and are around the same size as Bennett.
If he was 6'9 or 6'10, he'd be the consensus #1 pick in the draft.
And these per-40 minute stats are ridiculous, who the hell ever plays 40 minutes a game in college anyway? Get out of here, plus you can't factor in fatigue into those 40 mpg stats, fatigue would cause his rebounding percentage to drop as well as his shot selection and ability to make tough shots. His turnovers would also rise because of fatigue and so would his fouls.
Per-40 minute stats are bull.
What does his height matter?
He is versatile, can shoot, has a good low post game, and is SKILLED above everything else. Height matters if you are just doing to be dunking and getting putbacks. But Bennett definitely understands rebounding, which is the key to rebounding. Dennis Rodman at 6'7 was the best rebounder in the league for a decade. Bennett has the most upside in this draft outside McLemore, and I'm totally okay with him going number 1.
Undersized PF who just put on 20lbs on a body that was a resses cup away from being fat. I don't think so.